Let’s Talk, My Adorable Friend 

Why did you start My Adorable Friend?

I have always been surrounded by animals. We had ponies, donkeys, pet sheep, hens, dogs and cats but dogs have always been a very big part of my family life. I was brought up in the countryside, my father had farms which he farmed organically in the 1970s. My mother took an environmental biology degree in the 1970s which gave me a background and interest in organic products and the environment.

My own background is in Fashion Promotion which I took a degree studying Fashion Promotion and Imaging at University of the Creative Arts in Epsom, whilst also studying a year abroad at IED Milan in Fashion Styling. Leading to opportunities such as being able to work in the magazine world from Sunday Times to ELLE, Grazia, and Tatler before My Adorable Friend was founded in the summer of 2020 to create organic, vegan and sustainable dog products.

Can you talk us through the idea behind the brand?

The inspiration behind my brand from my Great Grandfather Alexander Tom Cussons, who developed Imperial Leather over 80 years ago.

How it has been during the pandemic?

I have always wanted to start my own business and in lockdown I went home during the pandemic. During which time I developed an interest in the plants which were in the fields and hedgerows around me. I first thought about using them for myself in beauty products which then progressed onto shampoo bars for dogs. My mother and I both have a love for dogs and we have a business partnership. I wanted something to use on my dog which was totally natural and beneficial to their skin and hair and eco-friendly.I used social media to build it up and advertise my brand.

How things are now?

Now things have opened up, we have started to trade at trading shows and we are looking into farmers markets. We are looking to develop other products too, and we have just developed a paw and nose balm made from our own beeswax from our hives at home.

What makes the soaps and products unique?

All of the soaps are made by hand in small batches; the plant material is hand picked and dried before it is used. All essential oils are researched to make sure they are safe for dogs.

No plastics are used in the packaging as we want to keep the brand eco-friendly. The shampoo bars have a soap on a rope idea which means it makes it easier to keep control of the shampoo bar on a wriggly dog.

We are on social media as ‘My Adorable Friend.’ Or to view our website, visit: www.myadorablefriend.co.uk